Enabling Road Works

We’re building the Parramatta Light Rail, one of the NSW Government’s major infrastructure projects to serve a growing Sydney. You will start to notice some changes to Parramatta roads and traffic intersections as we prepare for construction. The Parramatta Light Rail project team will continue to keep you updated throughout the works.

Enabling Works

'Enabling Works' is the term used for construction works such as the relocation of underground utilities, the modification or installation of traffic lights, road widening, the redirection of traffic flows and changes to parking, to modify and improve the capacity of the existing traffic network. The Parramatta Light Rail team will engage with residents and local businesses to communicate changes to property access as a result of the changes.

Enabling Works are now underway, with light rail operations expected to commence in 2023.

Why is this work being done?

Transport for NSW is conducting these works to enable the building and operation of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1, and to mitigate the impacts of construction. Most of the Parramatta Light Rail Enabling Works are being undertaken along roads that do not form part of the Parramatta Light Rail route. The works are intended to increase road capacity to ensure traffic can move in and around the Parramatta area during construction and, later, operations of light rail. As part of the Enabling Works, greater traffic capacity will also be provided along Barney Street and O’Connell Street as an alternative to Church Street, to minimise disruption and improve traffic flow. The Parramatta Light Rail project team will continue to keep you informed throughout the works. The community, and impacted businesses and residents will be notified via letter notices and invited to attend information sessions in their local area, providing the opportunity to ask questions.

Will I be impacted?

The Parramatta Light Rail project team will work with the community, including residents and businesses, to ensure people are fully informed and updated about any temporary or permanent impacts. During the Enabling Works, there will be road and traffic disruptions where access may be restricted or temporarily closed. There will also be some noise during the works which will occur both during the day and in some instances at night. In some cases, these works will permanently alter road, traffic and residential access. Maps illustrating the road and property access changes will be made available.

Enabling Road Works Map

North Parramatta

Traffic changes

Two lanes of traffic will be created in each direction along Barney Street and O’Connell Street, increasing traffic capacity in O’Connell Street and connections to the north. Changes you will see:

O'Connell Street will be widened to four lanes from Barney Street to Albert Street, which will include the conversion of parking lanes to traffic lanes. The upgraded road will include median strips which will restrict some turning movements.

An upgraded intersection at Church Street and Barney Street (see map 1):

West of Church Street, an additional eastbound lane will be created on Barney Street as well as a new left-turn lane, enabling traffic movement from Barney Street to Church Street.

West of Church Street, an additional westbound lane will be added on Barney Street, as well as a new right-turn lane enabling traffic movement from Church Street to Barney Street.

Traffic lights will be installed at the intersection of Dunlop Street and Church Street (see map 2).

Traffic lights will be installed at the intersection of Dunlop Street and O’Connell Street (see map 3).

A second left-turn-only lane will be created on Victoria Road at the O’Connell Street intersection (see map 4).

The right-turn-only lane on southbound O’Connell Street at Victoria Road will be removed, and a dedicated left-turn-only lane installed at the same intersection (see map 4).

The traffic signals will be upgraded at O’Connell Street and Victoria Road (see map 4).

Utility works

As part of the Enabling Works, utility relocation and upgrade works will also take place. Utilities that may need to be relocated include drinking water, waste water, gas, electricity, telecommunications, traffic control signals and street lights.

Enabling Works are being undertaken to ensure greater traffic flow and capacity during the construction and operation of Parramatta Light Rail

Parramatta CBD

Traffic changes

To offset the loss of westbound lanes in Macquarie Street, George Street in the Parramatta CBD will become two-way, efficiently moving traffic through the heart of Parramatta and redistributing traffic volumes across the local road network.

The Gasworks Bridge underpass accessed via George Street will be closed to general traffic, expanding the public domain of the Parramatta River Foreshore Reserve. Works will include the addition of a throughlane and shared through/left-hand-turn from George Street onto Macarthur Street, and a dedicated righthand turn from George Street onto Harris Street.

Changes you will see:

George Street will be converted from a one-way street to a two-way street between the O’Connell Street and Harris Street intersections.

Parking will be modified to facilitate road changes.

The intersection will be upgraded at O’Connell Street and George Street to accommodate the new two‑way configuration (see map 5).

The intersection will be upgraded at George Street, Harris Street and Macarthur Street (see map 6).